Filtering apparatus having an integrally removable filter cartridge

ABSTRACT

A filtering apparatus is described in which a filter assembly is encapsulated in a flexible, pliable, light weight shell and is removable as a unit from the filter housing without manually contacting filter media and/or liquid. The filter housing comprises a manifold and a cylindrical casing joined together to form a cavity for receiving the cartridge. The manifold further includes inlet and outlet conduits extending therethrough. The filter cartridge comprises a pair of cylindrical shells interconnected at their open ends, with the interior of the shells forming a cavity for receiving a filter assembly. The end plane of one of the cylindrical shells includes a pair of tubular extensions extending into the inlet and outlet conduits of the manifold. The two cartridge shells are made of plastic or other suitable material and are sufficiently flexible to bear against the side walls of the housing cavity during operation. In one embodiment, the mating ends of the cartridge shells are coupled by a telescoping connection and bonded. In another embodiment, the ends of the cartridge shells form mating annular flanges which are bonded together and further secured between two shoulders formed by the interconnecting housing members. The filter assembly preferably comprises a plurality of annular filter pads surrounding a perforated open ended sleeve and stacked between a pair of annular compression plates. To replace the encapsulated filter cartridge, the manifold and casing are separated and the used filter cartridge is removed as a unit. A new cartridge can be installed within the housing in a similar manner.

United States Patent 91 Ogden 1 Apr. 17, 1973 FILTERING APPARATUS HAVINGAN INTEGRALLY REMOVABLE FILTER CARTRIDGE Hubert S. Ogden, 1850 N.Whitley, Hollywood, Calif. 90280 [22] Filed: Nov. 22, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 200,850

[76] Inventor:

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 514,963 2/1955 Italy ..2l0/DIG. 17

Primary Examiner-Samih N. Zaharna Assistant Examiner-T. A. GrangerAttorneyl-larold L. Jackson et al.

[ ABSTRACT A filtering apparatus is described in which a filter assemblyis encapsulated in a flexible, pliable, light weight shell and isremovable as a unit from the filter housing without manually contactingfilter media and/or liquid. The filter housing comprises a manifold anda cylindrical casing joined together to form a cavity for receiving thecartridge. The manifold further includes inlet and outlet conduitsextending therethrough. The filter cartridge comprises a pair ofcylindrical shells interconnected at their open ends, with the interiorof the shells forming a cavity for receiving a filter assembly. The endplane of one of the cylindrical shells includes a pair of tubularextensions extending into the inlet and outlet conduits of the manifold.The two cartridge shells are made of plastic or other suitable materialand are sufficiently flexible to bear against the side walls of thehousing cavity during operation. In one embodiment, the mating ends ofthe cartridge shells are coupled by a telescoping connection and bonded.In another embodiment, the ends of the cartridge shells form matingannular flanges which are bonded together and further secured betweentwo shoulders formed by the interconnecting housing members. The filterassembly preferably comprises a plurality of annular filter padssurrounding a perforated open ended sleeve and stacked between a pair ofannular compression plates. To replace the encapsulated filtercartridge, the manifold and casing are separated and the used filtercartridge is removed as a unit. A new cartridge can be installed withinthe housing in a similar manner.

13 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 1 1 I915 '3'. 727, 764

SHEET 2 OF 3 FILTERING APPARATUS HAVING AN INTEGRALLY REMOVABLE FILTERCARTRIDGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thepresent invention relates to fluid filtering devices and moreparticularly to containers for holding replaceable filter cartridges.

2. Description of the Prior Art Replaceable filter cartridges are usedin a wide variety of applications to filter foreign matter and othercontamination from liquids or gases. The present invention isparticularly adapted for housing a filter cartridge which is used topurify drinking water. One such cartridge is distributed by the OgdenFilter Co., Inc. and is described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,528,554, issuedSept. 15, I970. The cartridge comprises a plurality of annular filterpads surrounding a perforated open ended sleeve and stacked between apair of annular compression plates. The filter media may be ofconventional fibrous filter materials which may compress on contact withliquid under pressure. Untreated water passes through the exteriorsurface of the filter pads, through a centrally disposed screen and theninto the open ended sleeve where the filtered liquid is drained. Thecontainer is formed by a top cover plate which includes an annularsurface for engaging the top cartridge compression plate. A closureplate is fastened by means of a spring to force the closure plateagainst the bottom compression plate of the cartridge to compress thefilter pads and prevent the leakage of unfiltered liquid into thecartridge sleeve.

Although prior filter assemblies, and especially the assembly describedin the above-mentioned patent, have performed well, they all suffer witha common shortcoming.

The problem encountered with the prior filter assemblies is thenecessity of periodically replacing the cartridge which is saturatedwith liquid, dirt and contaminants and manually contacting these pads isunpleasant and undesirable. The present invention overcomes theseobjections since all the liquid, dirt and contaminants are held in theencapsulated cartridge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention obviates theabove-mentioned shortcoming by completely eliminating the need forhandling and contacting the filter media when replacing the cartridge.

The filter apparatus comprises a pair of external housing membersinterconnected to form a cavity for receiving a filter cartridge. Thefilter cartridge comprises a unitary housing having a plurality offilter pads located therein. In replacing the used filters, the filtercartridge is removed as a unit with the filter pads remaining untouchedwithin the cartridge. The entire cartridge is then discarded and a newone is placed within the housing cavity.

The primary advantage of the present invention is that the filtercartridges can be easily removed as a unitary structure and replacedwith new cartridges in a similar manner.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of thefiltering apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1 illustrates a filtering apparatus, generally indicated by arrow10, having an outer casing comprising a manifold 11 and a bottomcylindrical housing member or bowl 13. Each of the housing elements 11and 13 includes an open end 15 and 17, respectively, which is threadedlysecured to the other to form a unitary housing having a cavity 19 formedtherein.

The manifold 11 further includes a threaded inlet conduit 21 and athreaded outlet conduit 23 extending through the upper wall thereof.

The housing cavity 19 is adapted to receive a filter cartridge 25 forhousing a filter assembly 27. The filter cartridge 25 comprises a pairof cylindrical open ended shells 29 and 31 in which the open ends form apair of mating annular flanges 33 and 34. These flanges 33 and 34 arebonded together by conventional means and are positioned between a pairof shoulders 35 and 36 formed on the housing elements 11 and 13. Each ofthe shoulders 35 and 36 includes at least one annular ridge 18 formedthereon for compressing and gripping the surfaces of the flanges 33 and34. The filter cartridge 25 is preferably made of polypropylene orpolyethylene or the like. The top cylindrical shell 29 further includesa pair of extensions 37 and 38 extending into the inlet and outletconduits 21 and 23 respectively. A pair of oring seals 39 are positionedon the exteriors of the extensions 37 and 38 to prevent water fromleaking into the cavity 19. An annular ridge 28 is formed on the surfaceof the shell 29 adjacent the inlet and outlet conduits 21 and 23 forengaging a washer 32.

In the preferred embodiment, the filter assembly comprises a pluralityof filter pads 41 stacked between a pair of annular compression plates43 and 45. Between each of the filter pads 41 there is placed a spacer47 which exposes a very substantial portion of the exterior surface ofeach adjoining filter pad 41 to the liquid within the chamber 49 formedwithin the cartridge 25. Each of the filter pads 41 includes a screen(not shown) disposed in the interior thereof for draining purified waterthat has passed through the pads into a centrally disposed perforatedsleeve 51. An upwardly extending cylindrical plug 53 is slidablyreceived in the perforated sleeve 51, and a helical spring is biasedagainst the bottom of the cartridge shell and extends into the plug 53to urge it upwardly. A washer 52 is mounted between the plug 53 and thecompression plate 45 with the plug 53 having an annular ridge 54 forengaging the washer 52.

In installing the filter cartridge 25 within the cavity 19, the bottomhousing member 13 is unscrewed from the manifold 11 and separatedtherefrom. The filter cartridge 25 is then inserted within the upperportion of the cavity formed by the manifold 11 and aligned to positionthe extensions 37 and 38 into the inlet and outlet conduits 21 and 23respectively. The bottom housing member 13 is then screwed onto themanifold 1 1 to completely enclose the filter cartridge 25. As the twohousing members 11 and 13 are being secured together, the annularshoulders 35 and 36 are drawn together over the annular flanges 33 and34 to apply a securing force thereto.

After the housing members 11. and 13 are secured, the apparatus is inits operable position. In this position, liquid under pressure isadmitted through the inlet conduit 21, into the chamber 49. In thischamber 49, the water under pressure causes the filter pads 41 tocontract. The water under pressure also forces the compression plates 43and 45 upwardly along with the plug 53 to prevent any water fromentering the outlet conduit 23 except through the filter pads 41. Asstated previously, the water passes through the filter pads with thecontaminants entrapped within the filter media. Thus, the water. passingthrough the perforated sleeve 51 and out of the outlet conduit 23 isfree from any dirt or contaminants.

It should be noted that the cartridge housing 25 is sufficientlyflexible to expand against the walls of the cavity 19 when underpressure. This enables the cartridge housing to be made moreeconomically.

After the filter pads 41 have been filled to capacity with contaminants,the bottom housing 13 is again unscrewed from the manifold 11 and thefilter cartridge 25 is removed as a unit with the filter assemblyremaining intact within the cartridge. The new cartridge is theninstalled in the manner described above.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the filtering apparatus. Inthis embodiment, the manifold 11 and bottom housing 13 areinterconnected by means of a plurality bolt fastening means, generallyindicated by arrow 60. The fastening means 60 comprises a plurality ofbolts 61 journaled with a plurality of bored flanges 63 formed on theexterior of the bottom housing 13. A snap-ring 65 is mounted within agroove (not shown) formed just above the head 67 of each bolt 61 to lockthe bolt 61 against axial movement.

A thimble 69 is splined to each bolt 61 to provide a convenient rotarydriving mechanism for the bolt 61 without requiring the use of anytools.

The other ends of the bolts 61 are adapted to be threadedly connected toa plurality of bored flanges 71 formed on the exterior of the manifold11. Upon screwing the bolts 61 through the bored flanges 71 the housingelements 11 and 13 are pulled together at their open ends 73 and 75. Themain advantage of the fastening means 60 is that the bolts 61 can beindividually manipulated to correct for any misalignment in the housingor cartridge structure.

The filter cartridge 25 is similar to the cartridge shown in the firstembodiment with the exception that the mating ends 77 and 78 of theshells 29 and 31 are telescoped together and bonded.

The filter assembly located within the cartridge is identical to theassembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the housing structure. In thisembodiment, the bottom housing member 13 is pivotally connected on oneside thereof to the manifold 11 by a hinge connection 81. The other sideof the housing element 13 is connected to the manifold by a latch 83extending over a flange 85 formed on the manifold. The cartridge housingand filter assembly are identical to that shown in FIG. 2.

The operation of the second and third embodiments operate insubstantially the same manner as the first. That is, the two housingelements 11 and 13 ate separated and the filter cartridge is removed asa unit without having to disassemble the filter assembly.

It should be noted that various modifications can be made to theapparatus while still remaining within the purview of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for filtering foreign matter and other contaminants fromliquids or gases comprising:

a pair of external housing members including a first member having inletand outlet conduits extending through the first member and a secondmember connected to said first member to form a first cavitycommunicating with the inlet and outlet conduits; and

a filter cartridge having a unitary housing positioned within said firstcavity, said cartridge housing forming a second cavity for receiving afilter assembly comprising a filter media through which the liquid orgases are adapted to pass, said cartridge housing including twoconnected cartridge shells which form the second cavity, one of saidcartridge shells having a pair of open ended conduit extensionsextending through the body of the shell, said conduit extensionspositioned to be respectively in fluid communication with the inlet andoutlet conduits of said first member whereby said cartridge housing isremovable as a unit from said first cavity after said external housingmembers have been separated.

2. An apparatus for filtering foreign matter and other contaminants fromfluid comprising:

a pair of external housing members including a first member having inletand outlet conduits extending through the first member and a secondmember connected to said first member to form a cavity communicatingwith the inlet and outlet conduits;

means for filtering the fluid including a filter media through which thefluid is adapted to pass;

a fluid tight unitary cartridge housing memberv entirely sealing themeans for filtering the fluid within the housing member and preventingfluid contact with the cavity, the housing member adapted to bepositioned within the cavity;

a pair of conduit members on the unitary housing member adapted torespectively communicate with the inlet and outlet conduits andproviding the only ingress and egress paths for fluidto the filtermedia; and

means for sealing the first member conduits and the unitary housingconduits to prevent fluid contact with the cavity.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the conduit members on the unitarycartridge housing comprise a pair of extension members having open endsadapted to provide fluid communication with the inlet and outletconduits on the first member.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said cartridge housing comprises apair of cylindrical shells with interconnected ends.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the ends of said cartridge shellsform a pair of mating annular flanges bonded together and positionedbetween a pair of shoulders formed by said housing members when saidhousing members are interconnected.

6. The invention of claim 4 wherein the end of one of said cartridgeshells telescopes into the end of the other cartridge shell with theinterengaging surfaces being bonded together.

7. The invention of claim 4 wherein said cartridge shells are made of aplastic material.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said plastic material ispolypropylene. I

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein said plastic material ispolyethylene. I

10. The invention of claim 4 wherein the first member and the secondmember are interconnected by interengaging thread means located on theopen ends of each member.

11. The invention of claim 4 wherein the first member and the secondmember are connected by means of a plurality of threaded bolts.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein each threaded bolt is rotatablymounted on a first flange formed on the second member with the threadedend of the bolt adapted to engage a threaded bore formed in a secondflange formed on the first member.

13. The invention of claim 4 wherein the first member and the secondmember are hingeably connected on one side thereof and secured on theother side by means of a latch mechanism.

1. An apparatus for filtering foreign matter and other contaminants fromliquids or gases comprising: a pair of external housing membersincluding a first member having inlet and outlet conduits extendingthrough the first member and a second member connected to said firstmember to form a first cavity communicating with the inlet and outletconduits; and a filter cartridge having a unitary housing positionedwithin said first cavity, said cartridge housing forming a second cavityfor receiving a filter assembly comprising a filter media through whichthe liquid or gases are adapted to pass, said cartridge housingincluding two connected cartridge shells which form the second cavity,one of said cartridge shells having a pair of open ended conduitextensions extending through the body of the shell, said conduitextensions positioned to be respectively in fluid communication with theinlet and outlet conduits of said first member whereby said cartridgehousing is removable as a unit from said first cavity after saidexternal housing members have been separated.
 2. An apparatus forfiltering foreign matter and other contaminants from fluid comprising: apair of external housing members including a first member having inletand outlet conduits extending through the first member and a secondmember connected to said first member to form a cavity communicatingwith the inlet and outlet conduits; means for filtering the fluidincluding a filter media through which the fluid is adapted to pass; afluid tight unitary cartridge housing member entirely sealing the meansfor filtering the fluid within the housing member and preventing fluidcontact with the cavity, the housing member adapted to be positionedwithin the cavity; a pair of conduit members on the unitary housingmember adapted to respectively communicate with the inlet and outletconduits and providing the only ingress and egress paths for fluid tothe filter media; and means for sealing the first member conduits andthe unitary housing conduits to prevent fluid contact with the cavity.3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the conduit members on the unitarycartridge housing comprise a pair of extension members having open endsadapted to provide fluid communication with the inlet and outletconduits on the first member.
 4. The invention of claim 2 wherein saidcartridge housing comprises a pair of cylindrical shells withinterconnected ends.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the ends ofsaid cartridge shells form a pair of mating annular flanges bondedtogether and positioned between a pair of shoulders formed by saidhousing members when said housing members are interconnected.
 6. Theinvention of claim 4 wherein the end of one of said cartridge shellstelescopes into the end of the other cartridge shell with theinterengaging surfaces being bonded together.
 7. The invention of claim4 wherein said cartridge shells are made of a plastic material.
 8. Theinvention of claim 7 wherein said plastic material is polypropylene. 9.The invention of claim 7 wherein said plastic material is polyethylene.10. The invention of claim 4 wherein the first member and the secondmember are interconnected by interengaging thread means located on theopen ends of each member.
 11. The invention of cLaim 4 wherein the firstmember and the second member are connected by means of a plurality ofthreaded bolts.
 12. The invention of claim 11 wherein each threaded boltis rotatably mounted on a first flange formed on the second member withthe threaded end of the bolt adapted to engage a threaded bore formed ina second flange formed on the first member.
 13. The invention of claim 4wherein the first member and the second member are hingeably connectedon one side thereof and secured on the other side by means of a latchmechanism.